Scout Programs & Partnerships
Laurel knows museums. Laurel knows Scouting.
Great Scout programs require an understanding of both.
Mountain Laurel helps cultural institutions turn their collections, sites, expertise, and educational goals into Scout experiences that work for the institution and for Scouts.
Scout programming can be much more than matching a list of requirements to an existing field trip. Mountain Laurel develops engaging, age-appropriate experiences that connect Scout requirements with the stories, collections, resources, and expertise that make your institution unique.
Services include:
Scouting America merit badge programs
Girl Scout badge and award programming
Cub Scout programs and activities
Workshops, special events, and overnight experiences
Self-guided Scout resources
Program scripts, facilitator guides, and supporting materials
Evaluation and redevelopment of existing Scout programs
Programs can be developed as fully turnkey offerings or designed collaboratively with your staff.
A successful Scout program requires more than great content. Mountain Laurel can help staff and volunteers understand how Scouting works, prepare for Scout visits, and establish the systems needed to offer programs confidently and consistently.
Support may include staff orientation, program operations guidance, and assistance preparing appropriate staff or volunteers to serve as merit badge counselors.
The goal isn't to make your team Scouting experts, but to give them the tools they need to provide excellent experiences.
Mountain Laurel can help cultural institutions build practical relationships with local Scouting organizations — from reaching potential program audiences to identifying opportunities for service, volunteering, and youth-led projects.
These partnerships can support broader institutional goals around youth engagement, community connection, and leadership development.
Scout programming can do more than fill a calendar. Strong Scout partnerships can support earned revenue, community engagement, service, and relationships that continue well beyond a single visit.
Revenue & Repeatable Programs
Badge, award, and advancement programs can become repeatable educational offerings with a built-in audience.
Community & Service
Scout relationships can connect institutions with families, volunteers, and meaningful youth-led service opportunities.
Long-Term Relationships
A Scout who first visits for a program may return with family, volunteer, complete a service project, or develop a lasting connection with the institution.
That was my path.
I first came to Carnegie Science Center on a Scout overnight, later returned as a volunteer, completed my Girl Scout Gold Award project there, and eventually became an employee. That first Scout experience helped shape a long-term relationship with the institution and ultimately my career in museum education.
Scouting and museum education have been connected throughout my professional life. My master’s thesis brought the two together directly through merit badge programs developed around an exhibition I helped design.
My Scouting experience ranges from direct work with young people as a Cub Scout Den Leader and Assistant Scoutmaster to district and council leadership and serving as a Wood Badge Course Director. That combination gives me an unusual perspective: I understand cultural institutions, informal learning, and Scouting from the inside.
Girl Scout Gold Award • Silver Beaver Award • Wood Badge Course Director •
District Program Chair • Cub Scout Den Leader • Assistant Scoutmaster
Have a collection, site, exhibit, natural resource, or area of expertise that could support an outstanding Scout experience?
Or perhaps you already offer Scout programming and know it could be stronger.
Let’s talk about what it could become.
